Lunar New Years Celebration

Tsim Sha Tsi Promenade

Happy Lunar New Year

It is dull and overcast today. I didn’t sleep well because I made a bad food choice late yesterday afternoon; I had a caffeine laced bubble tea.

We head out first to the Ladies Market in the Mong Kok area on the mainland. Upon arrival we realize that they are just starting to set up so I vow to come back later.  Instead we head over to the flower market which is closed for Lunar New Year. Ditto for the bird market.

Striking out on all three activities, we head to the subway and go to the Tsim Sha Tsi Promenade. The area is filled with people. The statue of Bruce Lee is surrounded by admirers, many posing for pictures in their versions of Kung Fu stances.

Designer and luxury brand name shops and restaurants line one side of the promenade and a misty Victoria Harbour the other.

There is a Hong Kong Avenue of Stars which is the Chinese version of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Kowloon Park

Hopping on another train (I love Hong Kong’s public transit), we head to Kowloon Park. The park is over 32 acres but my favourite parts are the flamingo pond and the bird aviary.

After getting my fill of birds (can one ever get their fill of birds?) John guides me to a Dim Sum restaurant called “Dim Sum Here”. It is very popular and there is a line up to get in.

It is delicious and we eat way too much. There is a couple frome Ontario sitting next to us so we chat for awhile.

Since we are staying out later tonight (and due to the fact that I hadn’t slept well from drinking too much caffeine last night), we head back to the hotel for a rest.

Ladies Market

We are back out by 6:15 pm. As John promised, we went to the Ladies Market first. It wasn’t too exciting, mostly flea market item, souvenirs and knock-off clothing.

Lunar New Year Parade

Back on the subway we head over to the Tsim Sha Tsi area where the Lunar New Year’s parade starts. It is so busy. At first we are about 4 or 5 people back from the street but as people leave we get closer. There is not a lot of room for movement.

The dancers and acrobatics are brimming with energy since this is the beginning of the parade. There are lots of multicultural parts to the parade; Spanish dancers, belly dancers, Italian flag throwers, North American cheerleaders and more. There are many floats and throughout it all, lots of references to the year of the horse. And of course there are dragons. Click here for a short video. 

An hour and a half into it, we are practically at the front but both John and I are feeling stiff with sore backs so we head back to the hotel.

Crowd controls are in place at the subway stations with lots of signs, announcements in Chinese & English and yellow vested personnel directing pedestrian traffic.